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Phantom #1
Phantom Pleasures
A hotel developer who wants to turn an abandoned island into an exclusive resort unwittingly unleashes a phantom cursed centuries ago-a spectral man who turns her secret desires into reality.
336 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2008
56 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Julie Leto
117 books135 followersAlso Knows as Julie Elizabeth Leto
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Leto is the multi-published and award-winning author of over forty-five novels for publishers such as Simon & Schuster, Penguin and Harlequin who has now turned her attention to independent publishing. She pens the popular “Dirty” sexy suspense series starring kick-ass, ex-gang girl Marisela Morales and the sensual paranormal “Phantom” books, as well as the crossover series, “Dirty Dare.”
Julie lives on the west coast of Florida with her daughter, a brand-new Border collie mix rescue, a haughty Russian Siberian cat and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance. Readers can find her at www.julieleto.com, on Facebook and as @JulieLeto on Twitter.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Leto is the multi-published and award-winning author of over forty-five novels for publishers such as Simon & Schuster, Penguin and Harlequin who has now turned her attention to independent publishing. She pens the popular “Dirty” sexy suspense series starring kick-ass, ex-gang girl Marisela Morales and the sensual paranormal “Phantom” books, as well as the crossover series, “Dirty Dare.”
Julie lives on the west coast of Florida with her daughter, a brand-new Border collie mix rescue, a haughty Russian Siberian cat and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance. Readers can find her at www.julieleto.com, on Facebook and as @JulieLeto on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 25, 2008
Really 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the story in the book and the sex and characters were very hot!! However, there were many things left unsaid. I always seemed to feel as if I were missing vital information or motivation for many of the characters.
Alexa has inherited a haunted castle! As the head of the Crown Chandler hotels, she plans to turn this castle off the coast of Florida into a premiere location, complete with its own ghost.
Damon was cursed centuries ago and trapped inside a painting by a powerful magic-user. He just wants out so he can find his family and seek revenge...and he'll do anything or anyone to achieve those goals.
Sex as a cure to black magic. Intersting premise, but not done as well as I'd hoped...at least not for me.
I enjoyed the story in the book and the sex and characters were very hot!! However, there were many things left unsaid. I always seemed to feel as if I were missing vital information or motivation for many of the characters.
Alexa has inherited a haunted castle! As the head of the Crown Chandler hotels, she plans to turn this castle off the coast of Florida into a premiere location, complete with its own ghost.
Damon was cursed centuries ago and trapped inside a painting by a powerful magic-user. He just wants out so he can find his family and seek revenge...and he'll do anything or anyone to achieve those goals.
Sex as a cure to black magic. Intersting premise, but not done as well as I'd hoped...at least not for me.
October 31, 2012
Don't let short and very vague blurb fool you. This is a great book. When hotel hieress inherits a supposedly haunted castle her eyes see big dollar signs. A new hotel, with potentially a ghostly twist. She would never expect the rumors to be true. When she inadvertently releases a phantom from a gypsy enclave that disappeared 200 plus years ago, she's not quite sure what to think....other than "damn, he's hot." But Alexa's surprises aren't over yet. Damon isn't quite free yet, and together they must find a way to break the curse. Throw in a jealous step-brother and fueding secret society and you have all sorts of excitement.
Alexa and Damon's romance was quick and to the point, they both had things to figure out but they never really let it get int he way of their feelings for each other. Lots of little twists and turns, with some comic relief curtesy of Dante the kitty, I had a hard time putting the book down to sleep at night.
Alexa and Damon's romance was quick and to the point, they both had things to figure out but they never really let it get int he way of their feelings for each other. Lots of little twists and turns, with some comic relief curtesy of Dante the kitty, I had a hard time putting the book down to sleep at night.
August 4, 2016
Julie Leto manages to offer up all the features we know and love about romance novels (crazy plot twists, steamy scenes, etc.) without totally ignoring the female reader's capacity to think or reason. In other words, she writes with a not-insignificant amount of intelligence about strong, capable women in a way that's still fun and readable. If it weren't for a bunch of typos (and omitted words) in the Kindle edition, a bit of repetitiveness, and the lack of one outstandingly appealing character (I liked them all, I just didn't adore one so much that I can't wait to pick up the next installment), I would have loved it.
dnf
April 24, 2014I gotta say the premise trapped me. No pun intended, I meant captivated me. The book itself? Not so much. It began well enough with an assortment of characters, some action-filled scenes, a big goal and some bad-guys to catch and vanquish. About 40/50% through the story I noticed I wasn't going anywhere. The supposed romantic interest was annoying, the bad-guys were not that scary and the plot was so convoluted I wasn't sure where to turn. There were hidden meanings in every act and even the main couple wasn't above fighting dirty between themselves, which kinda defeated the point of being allies, so I gave up. Truthfully the whole thing was only making me annoyed and cranky and that certainly wasn't my goal when I started so I left it alone the rest of the week. Wanna know what I realized during said week? Not only had I forgotten about the book but I wasn't even slightly curious to know how it ended, hence my putting the book in my DNF shelf and be done with it.
* I refrained from giving a rating because I didn't bother finishing it. Good luck.
* I refrained from giving a rating because I didn't bother finishing it. Good luck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2011
This book/series was a recommendation of sorts. I'd been seeing a lot of positive posts from members of my book groups for this series and thought it might be something I could get into. I like paranormals, but all I've ever read was Vampire romances and on accassion, a were/shifter paranormal romance. This one involved a phantom. I did like this one but there was more going on with the secondary characters than there was between the hero and heroine. I hope it gets better with the second and third stories.
to-read-paranormal
October 4, 2012Amazon Freebie 10/3/2012
May 31, 2021
My categories here are "ballpark" categories - it's more "man out of time" than "time travel" and I'm not really sure what the distinction between a ghost and a phantom is but he's not dead so he's not a ghost.
Anyway.
This story is actually really interesting and quite unique. There were definitely moments that I found poorly executed - some moments where the author used an exclamation point in dialogue (that almost never works), and then there were all these side characters who were like Nora Roberts-style secondary characters with their own arcs that weren't poorly executed, but I guess I just didn't expect them to be there so it felt kind of weird. There is a secondary love story that was missing some development - in the final moments of the conflict our main character keeps seeing the "intimacy" of the secondary characters that was never really established - but overall I liked all the characters and the story was just really cool. No other way to put it. I would have liked more of a focus on the main characters solving the problems, but the world-building and concept of this was very intriguing.
It takes place in St. Augustine. Kinda. As someone who lives near it, I didn't really buy the description of it - bamboo growing on an island seems a stretch. > okay but now I've looked it up and we do have a native bamboo. Weird. Anyway, I would have liked a slightly stronger sense of place in the island and in the castle itself. But what really got me into this at the start was that it had original Beauty and the Beast style enchanted castle qualities - creature comforts appearing in midair - and that element was really neat. It just got bogged down in story and building up the rest of the books in the series, so I think what would have been an excellent somewhat standalone story lost some complexity due to trying to stretch it into a series.
Long rambling review. Whatever.
Anyway.
This story is actually really interesting and quite unique. There were definitely moments that I found poorly executed - some moments where the author used an exclamation point in dialogue (that almost never works), and then there were all these side characters who were like Nora Roberts-style secondary characters with their own arcs that weren't poorly executed, but I guess I just didn't expect them to be there so it felt kind of weird. There is a secondary love story that was missing some development - in the final moments of the conflict our main character keeps seeing the "intimacy" of the secondary characters that was never really established - but overall I liked all the characters and the story was just really cool. No other way to put it. I would have liked more of a focus on the main characters solving the problems, but the world-building and concept of this was very intriguing.
It takes place in St. Augustine. Kinda. As someone who lives near it, I didn't really buy the description of it - bamboo growing on an island seems a stretch. > okay but now I've looked it up and we do have a native bamboo. Weird. Anyway, I would have liked a slightly stronger sense of place in the island and in the castle itself. But what really got me into this at the start was that it had original Beauty and the Beast style enchanted castle qualities - creature comforts appearing in midair - and that element was really neat. It just got bogged down in story and building up the rest of the books in the series, so I think what would have been an excellent somewhat standalone story lost some complexity due to trying to stretch it into a series.
Long rambling review. Whatever.
January 17, 2025
I found it rather difficult to read with all the jumping between characters. The idea was a good one and the story itself well written, but the multiple story lines happening at the same time made the book difficult to read.
March 28, 2025
3.5⭐️ I read this back in 2008 when it first came out. Randomly thought of a very small piece of the plot (guy trapped in a painting) and had to go to the goodreads forum to figure out what book it was! I love a good ghost (phantom, in this case) MC.
April 22, 2020
A lot of twists & turns. Was ok, but I feel like the story could have been better.
November 4, 2022
Phantom pleasures
I found the book intriguing. The plot was awesome. The characters were believable. I would like to find my own phantom.
I found the book intriguing. The plot was awesome. The characters were believable. I would like to find my own phantom.
April 4, 2023
Dedication to her job and to her family’s legacy has made the heroine miss out on a lot. She's never had a serious connection with a man, always dreaming about her fantasy ghost man or a knight in shining armor. She's never really bonded with anyone around her. She barely knows her stepbrother, taking him and his loyalty for granted. She doesn't know any of her employees or has even cared to know up until this point. Then she discovers her father has left her a castle and a disserted island that's rumored to be haunted. The heroine has always loved the idea of ghosts and the romanticism of a haunted castle so she leaps at the chance to explore her new property. Nothing will keep it from her. Not the fact that it's rumored to be cursed, or dangerous or impossible to step foot on. She risks everything and will pay anything to get on the island and she succeeds.
Alone in the rundown and empty place, or so she thinks, she finds herself waking up to the sight of her very own ghost! She's super excited and not at all frightened, much to the hero's confusion. He doesn't know how long he's been kept prisoner in the painting but judging from the woman's strange accent and stranger clothing, it must have been some time. But regardless, he is free now! Only, not so much. He might be free from the prison on the painting but he's still trapped in the castle. But that's no matter, he'll eventually find his way out and, in the meantime, he has a willing and bold woman who wants him.
The heroine has never been the type to wait for what she wants and wants the hero. She's dreamt about such a man for so long and now he's right in front of her. They sleep together. And she thinks him so handsome and seductive.... until he freaks out over her necklace and goes crazy, yelling at her in such fury that she fears for her safety. And when she wakes up the next morning, she thinks it was all a dream until the phantom hero makes his presence known. Regardless of how he behaved, the pain and struggle inside him calls out to her. She knows that there's no way she can ever rest until the hero is really truly free. The best way she can think of accomplishing such a goal is to find out about the curse and that sorcerer who made him.
The best way the hero can think of is to channel that sorcerers’ powers for himself and forcefully break the spell. Only, every time he taps into the magic, the evil is slowly consuming him until he'll never have any hope of breaking free. The heroine can't allow that to happen. He's come to mean too much to her to watch him destroy himself. Plus, meeting him as given her a new spark in life. She's found someone who cares for her and it's made her open her eyes to the way she's lived her life- walking through existence in a daze. With the help of her friends and the hero's ancestors they battle the evil that has oppressed them all.
I wasn't expecting much from this book and... surprise... I didn't get much. Yet another skim through book without any passion or remarkable qualities. The romance between the hero and heroine, well what little there was with the 3 plot lines happening simultaneously, was dull and so meh. Plus, I don't know why this author feels the need to have all of her characters sleep together within seconds of meeting. Whatever happened to getting to know the strange ghost man in your haunted castle before jumping his bones? It was horribly rushed and completely unremarkable but this is all very expected based on my reading history of this series. I honestly won't remember this story a month from now and have no interest in reading it again in future.
Alone in the rundown and empty place, or so she thinks, she finds herself waking up to the sight of her very own ghost! She's super excited and not at all frightened, much to the hero's confusion. He doesn't know how long he's been kept prisoner in the painting but judging from the woman's strange accent and stranger clothing, it must have been some time. But regardless, he is free now! Only, not so much. He might be free from the prison on the painting but he's still trapped in the castle. But that's no matter, he'll eventually find his way out and, in the meantime, he has a willing and bold woman who wants him.
The heroine has never been the type to wait for what she wants and wants the hero. She's dreamt about such a man for so long and now he's right in front of her. They sleep together. And she thinks him so handsome and seductive.... until he freaks out over her necklace and goes crazy, yelling at her in such fury that she fears for her safety. And when she wakes up the next morning, she thinks it was all a dream until the phantom hero makes his presence known. Regardless of how he behaved, the pain and struggle inside him calls out to her. She knows that there's no way she can ever rest until the hero is really truly free. The best way she can think of accomplishing such a goal is to find out about the curse and that sorcerer who made him.
The best way the hero can think of is to channel that sorcerers’ powers for himself and forcefully break the spell. Only, every time he taps into the magic, the evil is slowly consuming him until he'll never have any hope of breaking free. The heroine can't allow that to happen. He's come to mean too much to her to watch him destroy himself. Plus, meeting him as given her a new spark in life. She's found someone who cares for her and it's made her open her eyes to the way she's lived her life- walking through existence in a daze. With the help of her friends and the hero's ancestors they battle the evil that has oppressed them all.
I wasn't expecting much from this book and... surprise... I didn't get much. Yet another skim through book without any passion or remarkable qualities. The romance between the hero and heroine, well what little there was with the 3 plot lines happening simultaneously, was dull and so meh. Plus, I don't know why this author feels the need to have all of her characters sleep together within seconds of meeting. Whatever happened to getting to know the strange ghost man in your haunted castle before jumping his bones? It was horribly rushed and completely unremarkable but this is all very expected based on my reading history of this series. I honestly won't remember this story a month from now and have no interest in reading it again in future.
May 19, 2009
Hotels are Alexa Chandler’s way of life. She is a hotel developer and has her eye on a certain piece of property her father left her in his will. Her inheritance is a castle on an uninhabited island off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida. There are rumors that the castle is haunted, and Alexa’s best friend, Catalina Reyes, who is a paranormal researcher, thinks it would be a perfect place to investigate ghosts. Alexa just wants to make it into a hotel and add to the excellence that is known as the Crown Chandlers Hotels. Alexa goes along with her step-brother Jacob to see this alleged haunted castle while Catalina goes to Texas to talk to an expert on the castle’s legacy.
The castle was owned by a dark individual by the name of Lord Rogan in the mid eighteenth century. In 1747, Damon Forsyth and his brothers became Rogan’s enemy because their younger sister Sarina fell in love with Rogan and ran off with him. Damon went to find Sarina and to make Rogan pay for taking the innocent seventeen-year-old. But when he got to the town, everyone had left, and no one was at the castle. Before Damon could look further, he was sucked into a portrait of Rogan and trapped inside the painting for over two-hundred and fifty years.
Damon is now freed by Alexa even though they have no idea how she was able to do it. And suddenly Damon is able to make things appear, such as furniture that was in place around the time he landed in the cursed portrait. And even though Damon wants answers, he has manly needs, and Alexa all too willingly falls into his arms, and they quickly have lusty sex. But after that passionate exercise, Damon wants Alexa to help him figure out the mystery of his sister and Rogan and why he was cursed for so long.
As Alexa tries to find answers on her end, Catalina hits a wall in Texas as Paschal Rousseau, the scholar she is looking for, is missing. She will have to make do with his son, Ben, whom she doesn’t get along with right away. But this is not a simple case of an old man misplaced, but another enemy at work called K’vr who wants the superpowers of Lord Rogan and his castle, and Damon may be the key. Now it is a race for Alexa, Damon, and Catalina to find the information they need before all is lost.
Julie Leto has written quite the fantastical story that will make your mind whirl as you try to figure everything out. PHANTOM PLEASURES has action, suspense, and of course, those phantom pleasures Damon gives to Alexa. I am not sure if I were Alexa that I would be ready and willing to have sex in a damp castle with a ghost a few minutes after he walks out of a painting. But that aside, Damon and Alexa are a great duo. These are two smart individuals who think and then act...that is, until they need to release their pent up lust for each other.
There are multiple storylines throughout the book, from Catalina and Ben trying to find his father, to Paschal himself, who is kidnapped by the evil K’vr. Paschal is very important in a way that will catch you by surprise, and his secret will blow all the others out of the water. Even Alexa’s step-brother, Jacob, is not as he seems.
This is one magical tale with mystery and twists and turns you don’t expect. Damon and Alexa enjoy many PHANTOM PLEASURES with each other. Even though some of the passages may be confusing, overall Julie Leto has a nice storytelling skill that will keep you enchanted.
The castle was owned by a dark individual by the name of Lord Rogan in the mid eighteenth century. In 1747, Damon Forsyth and his brothers became Rogan’s enemy because their younger sister Sarina fell in love with Rogan and ran off with him. Damon went to find Sarina and to make Rogan pay for taking the innocent seventeen-year-old. But when he got to the town, everyone had left, and no one was at the castle. Before Damon could look further, he was sucked into a portrait of Rogan and trapped inside the painting for over two-hundred and fifty years.
Damon is now freed by Alexa even though they have no idea how she was able to do it. And suddenly Damon is able to make things appear, such as furniture that was in place around the time he landed in the cursed portrait. And even though Damon wants answers, he has manly needs, and Alexa all too willingly falls into his arms, and they quickly have lusty sex. But after that passionate exercise, Damon wants Alexa to help him figure out the mystery of his sister and Rogan and why he was cursed for so long.
As Alexa tries to find answers on her end, Catalina hits a wall in Texas as Paschal Rousseau, the scholar she is looking for, is missing. She will have to make do with his son, Ben, whom she doesn’t get along with right away. But this is not a simple case of an old man misplaced, but another enemy at work called K’vr who wants the superpowers of Lord Rogan and his castle, and Damon may be the key. Now it is a race for Alexa, Damon, and Catalina to find the information they need before all is lost.
Julie Leto has written quite the fantastical story that will make your mind whirl as you try to figure everything out. PHANTOM PLEASURES has action, suspense, and of course, those phantom pleasures Damon gives to Alexa. I am not sure if I were Alexa that I would be ready and willing to have sex in a damp castle with a ghost a few minutes after he walks out of a painting. But that aside, Damon and Alexa are a great duo. These are two smart individuals who think and then act...that is, until they need to release their pent up lust for each other.
There are multiple storylines throughout the book, from Catalina and Ben trying to find his father, to Paschal himself, who is kidnapped by the evil K’vr. Paschal is very important in a way that will catch you by surprise, and his secret will blow all the others out of the water. Even Alexa’s step-brother, Jacob, is not as he seems.
This is one magical tale with mystery and twists and turns you don’t expect. Damon and Alexa enjoy many PHANTOM PLEASURES with each other. Even though some of the passages may be confusing, overall Julie Leto has a nice storytelling skill that will keep you enchanted.
February 22, 2013
Alexa Chandler, an heiress to wealthy chain of hotels, has spent more time doing busines than looking for love in her life especially since being in a car accident. Alexa's stepbrother Jacob is the only part of her family that is left. Alexa's best friend Catalina (Cat) Reyes is a paranormal researcher and investigator. Alexa appears to have inherited an island along with a castle that is Romani in origin. Alexa needs Cat to discover the history of the castle. Cat travels to Texas to search for famous Romani expert Dr. Paschal Rousseau only to learn that he's been kidnapped according to his son Dr. Ben Rousseau. Meanwhile Alexa is intrigued by a painting in the castle of a most handsome man. Alexa could never have dreamed what would happen next. Damon Forsyth was trapped inside a painting in 1747 by Lord Rogan and freed by Alexa. Damon takes form in front of Alexa and is stunned by her beauty and mind. When Alexa realizes how much of life she's been missing out on thanks to Damon. She wants to help Damon win his freedom from the castle. Jacob is caught up in serious trouble that want to control the magic apart of the castle. Will Dr. Paschal Rousseau be found? Can Cat and Ben work together? Can Alexa help Damon? Will Damon admit his feelings for Alexa? What trouble is Jacob in? Your answers await you in Phantom Pleasures.
I really love a good mystery that includes cursed objects and phantoms come to life! This book seemed to be packed full of mystery from first page to the last page. This book was full of lore and intrigue which fascinate me on many levels. I thought the author did an excellent job of crafting such a clever story chalked full of mystery, suspense, and hot men. I will definitely continue to read more of this series.
I really love a good mystery that includes cursed objects and phantoms come to life! This book seemed to be packed full of mystery from first page to the last page. This book was full of lore and intrigue which fascinate me on many levels. I thought the author did an excellent job of crafting such a clever story chalked full of mystery, suspense, and hot men. I will definitely continue to read more of this series.
December 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Any complaints I may have are pretty minor and had to do with characters rather than the story. It took me a while to warm up to the character of Alexa. I didn't like her single-mindedness in wanting to turn the castle into a hotel, especially when she didn't know Damon's story - and didn't seem all that interested in helping him. It took me about mid-book to like her better.
I also didn't like her step-brother Jacob. And it wasn't the hints we had of his dark past, it was his too-quick turnaround at the end. He went from self-serving embezzler to a sudden concern about his step-sister and guilt over what he'd done to her in the past. Sure he redeemed himself in the end, but it happened way too quickly.
The rest of the characters I loved. Damon was everything a hero should be. We knew he was just kidding himself when he thought he was only using Alexa to escape. And Cat and Ben deserve a book of their own - I loved how they both had very good reasons for not getting involved and yet they did anyway. And Paschal, Ben's father, almost steals the show. I thought there was more to him than there appeared to be, but I didn't think he'd turn out to be who he was.
The story seemed straightforward at first, but there were a few surprises along the way. I never suspected the person who showed up near the end to be one of the bad guys. There was lots of action and lots of romance, in addition to mystery, magic, and suspense. The best part is, there's two more already written in this series and according to the author's webstite there's plans for three more.
I also didn't like her step-brother Jacob. And it wasn't the hints we had of his dark past, it was his too-quick turnaround at the end. He went from self-serving embezzler to a sudden concern about his step-sister and guilt over what he'd done to her in the past. Sure he redeemed himself in the end, but it happened way too quickly.
The rest of the characters I loved. Damon was everything a hero should be. We knew he was just kidding himself when he thought he was only using Alexa to escape. And Cat and Ben deserve a book of their own - I loved how they both had very good reasons for not getting involved and yet they did anyway. And Paschal, Ben's father, almost steals the show. I thought there was more to him than there appeared to be, but I didn't think he'd turn out to be who he was.
The story seemed straightforward at first, but there were a few surprises along the way. I never suspected the person who showed up near the end to be one of the bad guys. There was lots of action and lots of romance, in addition to mystery, magic, and suspense. The best part is, there's two more already written in this series and according to the author's webstite there's plans for three more.
April 17, 2016
That's it, I give up. I realize I am never gonna finish this book. It was a bore and a chore to read. The book follows several different people with the main heroine being Alexa. Normally I don't mind following different characters but it should add interest not bore me to death. Whatever is happening in a scene with a character sounds like it should be interesting but it just was not. There was no rush of intense feeling or just plain interest in what's going on for me. Sometimes characters would pop up without an explanation of who they are and what's really going on in their current scene. Yeah I can tell they will have a lot to do with what takes place eventually but their boring and i'm impatient to find out what drives them. There was something about the protagonist Alexa that I didn't connect with that I couldn't put my finger on until the last page I read. I think Alexa was suppose to be portrayed as a genuine, responsible workaholic but instead, I got arrogance. Being in her head eventually got really annoying. She sees herself as the savior and the victim, the only one keeping everything from falling apart. Even when she thinks of Damon it's more like he's going to be a good investment and if he want's anything from her then he's just using her. Damon has been stuck in the same place for three centuries and he has all the right to want to be free. I was interested in unraveling the plot at the end but not enough to force myself to finish. Too many annoying things about this book is tumbling over in my head so I digress.
October 27, 2012
If you want adventure and romance, this is your kind of book. There’s some of everything here. Alexa Chandler is a very rich woman who has recently lost her father and stepmother in a car accident. She is know the owner of a vast empire of hotels. Her stepbrother, Jacob, hives her a deed that he has found in his mother’s papers. On the bottom of the deed is one word, Valoran. What is it and why is it written on the deed? The deed is for a castle on an island off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida. Alexa decides this castle is going to be the showcase hotel that will let people know she is as astute as her father was in the hotel business. When she goes there, she finds out that the castle and island are supposedly haunted. She sends her best friend and psychic, Cat, off to find out about Valoran while she goes to the castle. She meets the resident ghost who is Damon Forsyth. H’s not really a ghost but to find out more about him, you are going to have to read the book. I highly recommend it and think you’ll like it a lot. I know I did
Want to read
March 26, 2013Reviewing as I read:
So far there have been something that have bothered me:
1. Alexa is annoying - I just plain don't like her. While it seems the author is writing her to be tough (boardroom tough) she is coming across as being a b****. - 23% done.
2.
3. Why is she not questioning anything going on? I can't stand heroine that question everything 75% into the book but for Alexa to be as smart as she is, you would think she would have a moment of "I can't believe my eyes" - 23% done. Not one moment like that has occurred except it being mentioned in passing... .
So far there have been something that have bothered me:
1. Alexa is annoying - I just plain don't like her. While it seems the author is writing her to be tough (boardroom tough) she is coming across as being a b****. - 23% done.
2.
3. Why is she not questioning anything going on? I can't stand heroine that question everything 75% into the book but for Alexa to be as smart as she is, you would think she would have a moment of "I can't believe my eyes" - 23% done. Not one moment like that has occurred except it being mentioned in passing... .
December 13, 2023
This book has some quirks with the main characters but on the whole, I really enjoyed the story and the background given and am looking forward to reading Book 2 in the series.
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews, so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 27, 2013
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews, so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 27, 2013
August 2, 2009
This was quite a smart read where hotel developer Alexa Chandler
retreats to an abandoned castle on a haunted island where she is
intending to convert.
Inside hangs a compelling portrait and the she unwittingly releases the
sexy phantom where a mortal enemy has trapped him.
It all starts as Damon and his brothers are seaching for their lost
sister Sarina whose story I would love to follow up.
Though Alexa has released Damon he remains magically bound to the
castle and needs Alexa to break free so that they can both escape.
Using his dark magic he seductively lures and seduces Alexa with his
freedom the ultimate prize.
Unable to resist the sexy phantom she is in conflict with thwarting
the magic that holds Damon and falling in love with her compelling lover.
retreats to an abandoned castle on a haunted island where she is
intending to convert.
Inside hangs a compelling portrait and the she unwittingly releases the
sexy phantom where a mortal enemy has trapped him.
It all starts as Damon and his brothers are seaching for their lost
sister Sarina whose story I would love to follow up.
Though Alexa has released Damon he remains magically bound to the
castle and needs Alexa to break free so that they can both escape.
Using his dark magic he seductively lures and seduces Alexa with his
freedom the ultimate prize.
Unable to resist the sexy phantom she is in conflict with thwarting
the magic that holds Damon and falling in love with her compelling lover.
September 15, 2012
For a paranormal romance this is a really good read. The backstory of gypsies, legends and very bad people grabbed my interest immediately.
The characters were well rounded, and believable. Alexa was strong, yet so feminine. Damon was gorgeous and everything a tortured man should be.
The book kept me entertained, and wanting to read more about the characters, which is great as this is the first in a series.
In my reviews I don't tend to give away plotlines or spoilers, as each individual reader interprets the book differently. However, I LOVED IT. So much so that I bought the follow ups and hope that Julie writes the rest of the series. I think I have found another series that I love and will follow to its conclusion. Nice work Julie x
The characters were well rounded, and believable. Alexa was strong, yet so feminine. Damon was gorgeous and everything a tortured man should be.
The book kept me entertained, and wanting to read more about the characters, which is great as this is the first in a series.
In my reviews I don't tend to give away plotlines or spoilers, as each individual reader interprets the book differently. However, I LOVED IT. So much so that I bought the follow ups and hope that Julie writes the rest of the series. I think I have found another series that I love and will follow to its conclusion. Nice work Julie x
February 25, 2025
I always did like paranormal things. I love how Alexa frees Damon from the painting & he finds out that one of his brothers is already free & looking for the rest of his family. I like the magic touch with the mysterious. I think that it's great how you get to see them try to figure out how to totally free him from the curse that keeps him imprisoned in the castle. You really want to know what happens to all the brothers & if they ever found their sister! I know there are 4 books. I really had wanted to read all of them. Unfortunately, for me, the 4th book is only a nook or ebook. Since I am epileptic I can't use them. They can trigger seizers. I only use paperbacks. So, that kind of stops it for me.
June 22, 2008
I didn't thoroughly enjoy this book. I like her writing voice although some of the characters' choices seemed abrupt. There was not one but three relationships launched in it. The plot was a bit convoluted, and might have been better served if she'd left the other relationships out or hinted more about the possibilities instead of expanding them so much. I think the author was focusing on establishing the series and that made this book a bit awkward. That being said, I do like the premise she set up and I may pick up the second book. My hope will be that she won't let other relationships creep into the spotlight in that one.
September 25, 2014
Great read! packed with romance action and mystery. I Loved this novel. Damon is the sexy spector that I would love to have find and save me from my life. Filled with not just magic but falling in love and lust. The story line kept me reading and wanting to know more. I never felt lost as holes were revealed and then filled in later. Great balance! Wonderful start to a series. I hope to read the rest so I can learn more about Damons other brothers. Great free nook book!
January 2, 2015
A few people at my work had mentioned these books. I bought the three pack on my Nook back in August but only recently had time to read them. The first chapter started out a little slow and confusing to me but I was hooked by chapter 2 and could not put it down. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances.
May 4, 2009
this book was bad, i didn't even finish it. when a strict business woman jumps in the sack with a ghostie boy after knowing him less than chapter, then hopes to use him to further her career, i don't know, it just didn't make business sense.
November 27, 2012
Great, in depth tale filled with history, magic, struggles, paranormal and romance. First of a series yet does not leave the reader hanging. This author weaves an intricate tapestry of characters which has encouraged this reader to want to read more.
October 8, 2012
This was a good read, and it definitely captured my interest. There were a few noticeable spelling errors in my kindle edition, but otherwise I liked, and I even bought the next two books in the series! :)
January 4, 2013
I wasn't drawn into the story completely until about 75% into the book. Before that, I could have stopped reading and had no regrets.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. I just wish it had taken off much sooner.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. I just wish it had taken off much sooner.
May 15, 2015
alleviated. of course there's an intimate, family betrayal...oldest device ever. but the handsome leading man is intriguing and delightfully flawed ..Not fatally, just enough to be interesting. the heroine is terribly gullible and naive. the secondary stories are interesting though.
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